Hello! Great to see you here. Just a reminder that it’s not too late to join the $100 giveaway I’m co-hosting. All the details are available.

Since moving to Guatemala in October, my life has seen some major changes. Here’s a look at some things I never expected would become part of my daily routine.

Wake up at 5am
For some of you, especially those with young kids, waking up this early might not seem unusual. I used to call it night until about 8am. Now, thanks to the jet lag from Europe, I wake up with the sun and manage to get so much done by 10am. My mornings have become highly productive: checking emails, writing, making the bed, and having breakfast by 7:30. By 8, the handyman arrives and we begin work on the house.

Be in bed at 7pm
Waking up so early means getting tired early too. With the sun setting around 6pm, I’m usually in bed by 7 after having dinner. When there was no electricity, I used to wind down my day with candlelit evenings, playing the guitar and sharing beers with my partner. Going to bed at 9pm now feels like staying out late.

Pack all valuables before leaving the house
Since the house has no windows, just mosquito nets, it’s easy for someone to break in. The previous owner’s water pump and electric wiring were stolen, so now I take my laptop, money, and other valuables with me whenever I go to town.

Shake my clothes and check my shoes before wearing them
I’ve encountered two scorpions and several large, ugly cockroaches. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, I shake my clothes and check my shoes before putting them on. I also carry a flashlight when I go to the bathroom at night.

Wear the same thing over and over
Remember that suitcase I packed? I barely use a tenth of my clothes. Most days, I wear khaki pants and a gray tank top because they’re comfortable and hide mud and stains. After working, I bathe in the lake fully clothed, then change into sweatpants for the night. When grocery shopping, I dress up in jeans and feel amazing.

Never store my bathing suit
Since I swim in the lake every day, my bathing suit is never tucked away in the closet but always within easy reach.

Shower outside
Without running water, I shower in the lake using minimal soap. It’s fun to be surrounded by nature and watch the fish come up to say hello. They especially enjoy it when I do the dishes and they get some scraps.

Have dinner for breakfast
Without a fridge, food spoils quickly, so we eat it as soon as possible. This means breakfast often consists of dinner leftovers.

Use a pit toilet
We have a dry toilet, which is very handy until the water gets installed. However, one time I heard a strange noise at the bottom, and my partner says it was a bat. Now I’m scared to use it.

Update: Since writing this, we’ve got running water (no more bats) and electricity (hello, blog updates).

Have you ever spent time without the luxuries we take for granted? What was your experience like?